The Mets need to create a roster spot for Floyd, who’s recovered from his strained right quad, and one way could be to get rid of Gutierrez. The Mets have been calling around the league and asking teams if they have any interest in the backup infielder.

So far, interest has been non-existent in Gutierrez, who will turn 34 later this month and entered last night hitting .175. The Mets are paying only $600,000 of Gutierrez’ contract, so if they cannot trade him, they could simply release him outright.

The Mets have taken a step toward curing their incredible spate of injuries, hiring former White Sox director of conditioning Vern Gambetta to be their director of strength and conditioning.

Gambetta was working as a self-employed consultant in Sarasota but was with the White Sox from 1987-96. He sounds as if he’s a hard-driver, considering former White Sox Mike Cameron said, “He killed us. God, he crushed us.”

Gambetta will be based in St. Lucie and will work mostly with the minor-leaguers. But while GM Jim Duquette reiterated his confidence in the Mets’ medical staff, Gambetta’s hire certainly signals the organization is anxious to solve its injury bug. The Mets did not have a position like this before, and Duquette said, “Most of [what Gambetta will do] is preventive.”

While the Mets were talking with Gambetta before the injuries to Jose Reyes and others, Duquette admitted, “I think [the injuries] sped up the process.”

Gambetta will not be heavily involved with Reyes, whose rehab is being coordinated by instructor Jason Wulf. Duquette also said sending Reyes to Ming Chew, a famed Manhattan-based physical therapist, has been “ruled out for now.”

* Asked why things didn’t work out in New York the last two years, current D-back Robbie Alomar sounded as perplexed as anybody.

“I don’t know. Things didn’t work not only for me but for the whole team,” he told The Post. “We never clicked. Everybody struggled. I don’t know. I wish I had an answer for that.”

Alomar, who hit .265 in his Met tenure, insisted he liked New York, saying, “I like everything about it, except we didn’t play good baseball,” and raved about his former club, saying, “I have nothing bad to say about the Mets. I think they’re a great organization.” Currently out with a broken hand, Alomar, 36, hopes to return in five to seven weeks.

* Karim Garcia took grounders at first base yesterday. Manager Art Howe said Eric Valent may do the same. …

Mets placed Grant Roberts on waivers, and will know if he’s claimed by 1 p.m. tomorrow. Roberts, who was designated for assignment last week, complained he wasn’t feeling quite right and requested to be examined by team doctor Andrew Rokito. An MRI revealed no serious injury, but Roberts is seeking a second opinion with Reds doctor Tim Kremchek. The Mets remain interested in having Roberts back.